[Ruby351]

I thought it was about time I put finger to keys and start tap-tap-tapping away to introduced my Dolores properly and how it was that I came about getting her so without further ado, her she is ...

It wasn't a long-drawn-out years of planning and saving sort of idea and the thought of owning a Bentley was only ever a pipe dream. My realistic vision was to eventually change my lovely, reliable and faithful C-class Mercedes-Benz, that I had had for many, years, covering oodles of miles in commuting and for NHS working in the community and what I had longed for was an E-class convertible.

I had previously owned a Mercedes CLK coupe and this was the model that the convertible was known as prior to becoming the E-class. Anyway, I loved the coupe, so the convertible was what I was after for my next car.

Time passed, things happened and plans changed as they do, retirement came, sold a big house downsized into a lovely bungalow having moving back to my home town after 30 years working in Bristol with everything sorted and a few bob to spare … enter Dolores …

Now those of you that know me, are well aware I don't do things by half and am not the sort of person to rush into anything, so you can imagine here we have a Ruby351 on a mission!

Days roll into weeks roll into months, calluses on finger tips, two new laptops bought, purple (not red) eyes and bags on bags on bags under them and relentlessly trawled every car sales place I could find, through out the day and night going over and over the same car's specs again and again. Yes I would settle on the short list, but was never quite happy until suddenly a car came up from Marlow Cars, that's right in Marlow.

Gave him a tinkle on the phone, nice fellow, but he had a number of interested parties already (!!!) but one had said he wanted her so I was too late. He then seemed a bit sort of hesitant on the phone, something about he wanted the easiest route possible and apparently the gent interested in the car, wanted him to deliver her up to Scotland, which he said he was prepared to do so, but he would rather not if he didn't have to, anyway, he was waiting to hear back from him so I was asked to call back some time later which I did.

Now I am not usually the pushy type, but I really liked this car, it was the best deal all round and my gut said today is the day to be NO SHRINKING VIOLET … so I gave it everything I have - cash sitting in the bank, can come up now if he like to view and collect puff-puff-pant- pant, whatever you like sir, your wish is my command, and then with a short but pregnant pause …

The date was arranged and the deal was done, needless to say he wouldn't budge a penny on the price - I did ask but felt a twit in doing so, as I new full well it was worth every penny.

I asked my brother-in-law if he would take us up there and I don't know if he was more excited about it than us, but anyway, it was really good of him, as we were a nervous reck by the time we got there.

He had arranged the visit at his home, what can I say other that very impressive! We pulled up to the gates and he let us in, drove up the drive and there was Dolores, top down and breath taking, while I was flushed and mesmerised by her magnificence combined with the disbelief that in a very short time, we will be driving away in her.

There was a Bentley Continental; Flying spur under the huge open front wooden and tiled roof car port and alongside of that was a Rolls Royce but other than that everything became a haze.

We took a walk around Dolores, a look inside and I sat inside and that was a test drive and then went about paying for her! Yep … decision was made to have her from the very first phone call, so I didn't need to take her out for a spin and anyway, tell me this, what do I know about Bentleys anyway?

The next two hours were an absolutely harrowing nightmare and no papers were even signed yet so the story goes on ...

 

[Henry_B]

Very nice motor that is I do have a soft spot for them

Sounds very similar to the story my old grandfather used to tell about buying his old Rolls..

que picture from the day he bought it April 21st 1987

Ex wedding car cost a fortune to maintain and run "12mpg" but it was a sight to behold in its prime I remember as a young lad being whisked around in it, nothing quite like a nice Rolls or bentley..

It is a derelict pile now, such a shame!! but the memories live on!

 

[JimC64]

I thought it was about time I put finger to keys and start tap-tap-tapping away to introduced my Dolores properly and how it was that I came about getting her so without further ado, her she is ...

View attachment 48198

It wasn't a long-drawn-out years of planning and saving sort of idea and the thought of owning a Bentley was only ever a pipe dream. My realistic vision was to eventually change my lovely, reliable and faithful C-class Mercedes-Benz, that I had had for many, years, covering oodles of miles in commuting and for NHS working in the community and what I had longed for was an E-class convertible.

I had previously owned a Mercedes CLK coupe and this was the model that the convertible was known as prior to becoming the E-class. Anyway, I loved the coupe, so the convertible was what I was after for my next car.

Time passed, things happened and plans changed as they do, retirement came, sold a big house downsized into a lovely bungalow having moving back to my home town after 30 years working in Bristol with everything sorted and a few bob to spare … enter Dolores …

Now those of you that know me, are well aware I don't do things by half and am not the sort of person to rush into anything, so you can imagine here we have a Ruby351 on a mission!

Days roll into weeks roll into months, calluses on finger tips, two new laptops bought, purple (not red) eyes and bags on bags on bags under them and relentlessly trawled every car sales place I could find, through out the day and night going over and over the same car's specs again and again. Yes I would settle on the short list, but was never quite happy until suddenly a car came up from Marlow Cars, that's right in Marlow.

Gave him a tinkle on the phone, nice fellow, but he had a number of interested parties already (!!!) but one had said he wanted her so I was too late. He then seemed a bit sort of hesitant on the phone, something about he wanted the easiest route possible and apparently the gent interested in the car, wanted him to deliver her up to Scotland, which he said he was prepared to do so, but he would rather not if he didn't have to, anyway, he was waiting to hear back from him so I was asked to call back some time later which I did.

Now I am not usually the pushy type, but I really liked this car, it was the best deal all round and my gut said today is the day to be NO SHRINKING VIOLET … so I gave it everything I have - cash sitting in the bank, can come up now if he like to view and collect puff-puff-pant- pant, whatever you like sir, your wish is my command, and then with a short but pregnant pause …

View attachment 48200

The date was arranged and the deal was done, needless to say he wouldn't budge a penny on the price - I did ask but felt a twit in doing so, as I new full well it was worth every penny.

I asked my brother-in-law if he would take us up there and I don't know if he was more excited about it than us, but anyway, it was really good of him, as we were a nervous reck by the time we got there.

He had arranged the visit at his home, what can I say other that very impressive! We pulled up to the gates and he let us in, drove up the drive and there was Dolores, top down and breath taking, while I was flushed and mesmerised by her magnificence combined with the disbelief that in a very short time, we will be driving away in her.

There was a Bentley Continental; Flying spur under the huge open front wooden and tiled roof car port and alongside of that was a Rolls Royce but other than that everything became a haze.

We took a walk around Dolores, a look inside and I sat inside and that was a test drive and then went about paying for her! Yep … decision was made to have her from the very first phone call, so I didn't need to take her out for a spin and anyway, tell me this, what do I know about Bentleys anyway?

The next two hours were an absolutely harrowing nightmare and no papers were even signed yet so the story goes on ...

Love it Gina, great story into ownership and just love the car, would love one myself one day, who knows....

You really do need to share more pics though, this is the thread dedicated to her so if you have 'em, post 'em.

Jim

 

[Ruby351]

Thank you Henry. Seeing the picture of your grandfathers elegant lady, made my heart skip a beat - no joke, it's funny how a photo of something that really appeals to you can do that, but there is something so refined, majestic and quintessentially British about them I suppose.

Probably why I like the big beautiful Jaguars too.

Ugh!, Don't like the thought of the old lady in a heap some where though, still as you say, you have some magic memories and at least you can get to share some with folks like us here on the forum, so may be retired yes, but not forgotten.

 

[JaguarDriver]

Dolores is lovely.
Please tell us more.
What would be the single thing that surprised you the most and you never experienced in any other car before?

 

[Henry_B]

Thank you Henry. Seeing the picture of your grandfathers elegant lady, made my heart skip a beat - no joke, it's funny how a photo of something that really appeals to you can do that, but there is something so refined, majestic and quintessentially British about them I suppose.

Probably why I like the big beautiful Jaguars too.

Ugh!, Don't like the though of the old lady in a heap some where though, still as you say, you have some magic memories and at least you can get to share some with folks like us here on the forum, so may be retired yes, but not forgotten.

Yep, she went down hill quite quickly, she is still with us but in a terrible state, I have acquired all the repair panels to make it structurally sound, just time and £££ that is the main factor

I'll get to it eventually!

A haven of peace in a troubled world I do remember someone saying to me, a definition for any Bentley/RR

Some more pics of your nice conti wouldn't go a miss I do really like them, beyond my wallets scope though!

 

[Ruby351]

Love it Gina, great story into ownership and just love the car, would love one myself one day, who knows....

You really do need to share more pics though, this is the thread dedicated to her so if you have 'em, post 'em.

Jim

Thanks Jim,

Oooooooh yes! Izza coming boss!

You know me, as I have said before, why use 1 word when 10 will do and that was merely an introduction, plenty more to come, just have to discipline myself better and stop replying to other posts that's all

 

[JimC64]

Very nice motor that is I do have a soft spot for them

Sounds very similar to the story my old grandfather used to tell about buying his old Rolls..

que picture from the day he bought it April 21st 1987

Ex wedding car cost a fortune to maintain and run "12mpg" but it was a sight to behold in its prime I remember as a young lad being whisked around in it, nothing quite like a nice Rolls or bentley..

It is a derelict pile now, such a shame!! but the memories live on!

That just exudes class and money from a bygone era Henry

As a "young lad" you were probably spell bound I'd imagine lol

Jim

 

[Ruby351]

Dolores is lovely.
Please tell us more.
What would be the single thing that surprised you the most and you never experienced in any other car before?

Thank you JaguarDriver, much appreciated.

The single thing that surprised me most that I never experience in any other car is the engine, with out a shadow of a doubt, it would be the engine.

When you push that button and she fires up, even I cannot find the words to fully describe the guttural raw and thrill that vibrates from the very tips of your toes to the top of your head as your body resonates and simultaneously fills with a vibrant glow of exhilaration and then there is the open road and the burst of the throttle - definitely the engine.

 

[Henry_B]

That just exudes class and money from a bygone are Henry

As a "young lad" you were probably spell bound I'd imagine lol

Jim

I agree Jim class is one thing she had in spades, burl walnut all over the interior and every surface was either covered in leather or stainless steel, not a hint of plastic in sight I remember it used to stand out a mile in my primary school carpark

She was on the road from 1987 to 2010 so a fairly long tenure, the final nail in the coffin was the lower wings separating from the body

Good old rust killed it..

 

[Ruby351]

I thought you might like to see what I saw in the advert for Dolores, not much to go by granted and these were the only ones available on the websites like CarGurus and Marlows themselves, tiny hardly anything to go by, but having looked at so many prior to this advert, I knew exactly what she would be like.

Honestly they were that small and the last one, was just to show the types of cars they sell, mostly brand new of course, so I really don't think he was bothered at all about selling my girl, as he knew she would go in the wink of an eye.

 

[Ruby351]

Yep, she went down hill quite quickly, she is still with us but in a terrible state, I have acquired all the repair panels to make it structurally sound, just time and £££ that is the main factor

I'll get to it eventually!

I hope you do Henry, time will tell and you never know what's around the corner, maybe just the job in your retirement

A haven of peace in a troubled world I do remember someone saying to me, a definition for any Bentley/RR

Sounds about perfect to me.

Some more pics of your nice conti wouldn't go a miss I do really like them, beyond my wallets scope though!

Lots more on the way along with a bit more of my tale in getting her too.

 

[Ruby351]

Actually, second thoughts, the story can wait, here are some pictures of our girl ...

 

[JimC64]

Actually, second thoughts, the story can wait, here are some pictures of our girl ...

View attachment 48216

View attachment 48222

View attachment 48224

Yep, she's a looker Gina and that 6 litre engine will make a lovely noise I'll bet.

Only 35k miles, need to use her a little more Gina

Jim

 

[Ruby351]

Yep, she's a looker Gina and that 6 litre engine will make a lovely noise I'll bet.

Only 35k miles, need to use her a little more Gina

Jim

Ah! Thank you Jim, it's okay, I think we have got her up to about 38K now

I wonder if it would be cheeky to bring her up to one of the meets one time, introduce her to members and maybe have a little feel of her horses. Then again, I expect there would be some grumblings from some quarters so better not I suppose.

 

[JimC64]

Ah! Thank you Jim, it's okay, I think we have got her up to about 38K now

I wonder if it would be cheeky to bring her up to one of the meets one time, introduce her to members and maybe have a little feel of her horses. Then again, I expect there would be some grumblings from some quarters so better not I suppose.

38k, steady there Gina lol

It wouldn't be the first non Jag at a Jaguar meet lol

Jim

 

[Ruby351]

Going back to the advert information from what was available prior to purchase, this was sparse to say the least, but I'll give you a glimpse of what it was like for the most part anyway:

"Vehicle Description
GTC. Silverlake blue metallic with magnolia leather. 2 tone wheel. Power boot. Extended wood veneers. Magnolia head lining. ... Service feb 2019. Mot feb 2020 no advisories. 20" 7 spoke alloys just refurbished."

So you can tell by this, I had very little to go by, from the advert alone. It was from what I had seen before, what I had read up on, the garage it was being sold from, the price (nope you are not getting that one) and how the dealer spoke with me and what he said about the car that sold it to me. Call it woman's intuition, gut instinct, luck, fate, good fortune or someone guiding me from above, it doesn't matter, it was the car I really wanted and I count myself very fortunate indeed to have found her and to be able to drive her.

Even, looking and sitting in her brings me joy, so if there comes a time I can't drive, I still don't think I will ever pass her on.

 

[Ruby351]

Before anyone has palpations about the mpg figures, these are 'by the book' figures as I like to call them and I can assure you that the way I drive and I know a few of you will already be aware by now, I like to call it careful, sensible hypermiling if you will. I get far, far better figures than this in real terms.

I have noticed while driving mpg figures on the trip bobbing between the 30s, 40s and even 50s mpg, but I cannot give you an actual figure per se, as it is not something I care to be aware of. This may sound flippant and irresponsible, but not in my book as look at it this way if you will, we only take her out on high days and holidays, we have not had a holiday in over 25 years and our only pleasure is our cars, our dogs and cats. We have been out 4 times this past month, eaten out for the first time for 3 years last week and cover an average of 1K miles annually in Dolores and about 1.5K in each of our other 3 vehicles.

What I am trying to say is, we take out Dolores for pleasure and if we started worrying about the cost implications, this would tarnish the joy she brings us, so simply put, we don't.

This being so, I fill up the tank with premium petrol when ever she needs it, I never look at the price as I'm am not interested and will pay the price what ever it is.

The road tax seems to go up each year and this year it was £600, when I get the reminder I pay it straight away and then forget about it.

The Insurance is difficult, as there was no, noclaims discount to start with, so the payments were initially high, but now I have 3 years under my belt so it is pretty cheap really and this year cost £243.26.

A fortnights holiday in a lower end caravan at Devon Cliffs holiday park Exmouth would cost you ~£1.5K ... no competition says I

 

[Ruby351]

Picking up from where I left off, we were at the stage of paying for Dolores, no the weather was overcast, it was very chilly and blustery so not at all comfortable to be stood outside for too long. As you may or may not know I am very hard of hearing, so using the mobile phone is a nightmare for me anyway I had no choice in this case. I sat inside Dave's (B-I-L) car, phoned my bank to make the transfer of funds, I didn't have to leave a deposit initially as the gent trusted me from our conversations prior to our visit, so the payment was for the full asking price, easy and job's a good'un thought I … yeah right!

I was passed from person to person, they all spoke as though they were paying for the phone call and had just 10 seconds to say what they needed to say, my blood pressure was rising, glasses steaming up and I was drawing on every CBT skill I had ever learnt to stay calm, polite and get the transaction made.

No, no. no not a bit of it were they having, no amount of explaining, protestations about it being my money, the Bentley was right before my very eyes, I was NOT being coerced into making the payment, yes it was my decision and so on and so forth, would convince them to transfer the funds.

Mr Marlow was very understanding, but said he had to go off to meet someone at the airport if I remember correctly, as they were going to pick up their new Rolls Royce and he did say the price, but I was all to flustered and embarrassed to remember that now. He told us about a pub down the road, where we could warm up and get a bite to eat.

Off we trundled, found the pub and all had a coffee with the only food available being a choice of Welsh rarebit or humus I think. We all settled on the cheese on toast which looked good from the description on the blackboard, the total price was eye watering, hey-ho I thought and sat down, I of course was waiting for a call from the bank and still very much on tender hooks. When the food came out, I kid you not, it was one slice of toast about 5" x 4" with melted cheese on top none of which had run over the sides, a splash of Worcestershire sauce and a tiny (really) pinch of chopped chives in the centre … gobsmacked … all 3 of us!

Phone rang, took the call in the pub entrance, flippin' heck I wish these hearing aids helped me hear that little bit better … explained everything again in calm soft tones and passed on to a higher ranking official … keep calm Gina, keep calm, remember what you mum always told you "Good manners cost nothing" and I do believe, rudeness gets you know where. Yet again I went through the entire rigmarole and I was almost on my knees begging the woman to let me have my money so I can get my lovely Dolores and finally, yes I say finally the bell rang and

The three of us bundled back into Dave's car and he drove back to the house, we were all very relieved to be able to tell the gent that the money had been sent and that it should be in his bank now if not very shortly. So, he and I went into his little shed type office and sorted out the paperwork. I gave him the money for the years tax in cash, which I think was £500 or £550, he did the biz on the computer, checked the money had gone through, we signed to docs. shook hands and the deal was done.

Now for the moment we had all been waiting for …

 

[Ruby351]

Before anyone has palpations about the mpg figures, these are 'by the book' figures as I like to call them and I can assure you that the way I drive and I know a few of you will already be aware by now, I like to call it careful, sensible hypermiling if you will. I get far, far better figures than this in real terms.

I have noticed while driving mpg figures on the trip bobbing between the 30s, 40s and even 50s mpg, but I cannot give you an actual figure per se, as it is not something I care to be aware of.

Remember these? Just to let you know there are absolutely times when the mpg will Dolores could well bring you out in a cold sweat, should you wish to look for it and for the sake of fair play I did. I got a much higher definition of the picture in the previous thread, cropped it just for you, so you can see the mpg on a run from Budleigh Salterton to Exmouth and along the seafront etc this was the outcome...

Obviously she was stationary when I took the picture and that is why there is ---- above the mpg but the average mpg was 10.2.

The higher mpg figures I was talking about, are only ever reached on a long run, as is the case with most cars.